Drake Claps Back at Kendrick Lamar and Joe Budden in New Album ‘$ome $exy $ongs 4 U’

Drake’s highly anticipated collaboration album with PARTYNEXTDOOR, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, has finally arrived. While the project is packed with smooth R&B tracks, it also includes some unexpected shots aimed at longtime rivals, including Kendrick Lamar and Joe Budden. Fans and critics alike have been dissecting the lyrics, particularly those on tracks like Gimme a Hug and Brian Steel, where Drake makes thinly veiled references to his ongoing feuds.

With his signature wordplay and layered verses, Drake continues to assert his dominance in the rap game—but will this reignite tensions with his industry adversaries?

Drake Subtly Calls Out Kendrick Lamar on “Gimme a Hug”

One of the most talked-about songs on $ome $exy $ongs 4 U is “Gimme a Hug.” The track, which initially leaked earlier this year, finds Drake reflecting on the rap industry and addressing those who have attempted to undermine his success. While he doesn’t name Kendrick Lamar directly, his lyrics strongly suggest a continuation of their long-standing cold war.

Drake opens the song with a defiant verse:

“Drake elimination, fake intimidation / Take a minute, take a deep breath, have a little bit of patience.”

He goes on to compare himself to Neo from The Matrix, suggesting that his competition is insignificant in comparison to his influence.

“You set the bar for the next generation / You Neo in The Matrix, these n****s just Nemo in the ocean.”

The “Nemo in the ocean” line is a subtle jab at artists trying to challenge him, indicating that they are small fish in a big pond.

Kendrick Lamar and the Dictionary Reference

Drake doesn’t stop there. He takes another subtle shot at Kendrick Lamar’s lyrical complexity by referencing a “dictionary” on the track:

“And what the f**k are they gon’ do with it? / Have the girls up at 29 on stage twerking with a dictionary?”

This could be a dig at Kendrick’s diss track “Euphoria”, which featured a dictionary definition on the cover art. Drake’s line suggests that he believes Kendrick’s lyricism is being overanalyzed by fans, while he remains focused on making hits.

Drake Brushes Off Rap Beefs in “Gimme a Hug” Beat Switch

Midway through the track, the beat switches, and Drake downplays rap beefs altogether, implying that he is more focused on success than industry drama:

“They be dropping shit, but we be dropping harder shit / F**k a rap beef, I’m tryna get the party lit.”

This contradicts his earlier bars in the song, leading fans to wonder if Drake is truly dismissing rap feuds or simply baiting his rivals into another round of lyrical warfare.

Joe Budden Catches Strays in “Gimme a Hug”

Drake doesn’t just stop at Kendrick. He also takes aim at Joe Budden, his long-time critic and former rapper-turned-podcaster. He references Melyssa Ford, a former video vixen and co-host on The Joe Budden Podcast, in a way that suggests disdain for Budden:

“Melyssa Ford, you a legend from the 6, hate to see you with a d**k-sucker.”

The use of “dk-sucker”** appears to be a direct insult aimed at Joe Budden, implying that he constantly speaks on Drake’s name for clout.

Drake Addresses Young Thug’s Plea for Peace on “Brian Steel”

Another standout track from the album is “Brian Steel,” named after Young Thug’s lawyer during his high-profile RICO trial. The song references a message that Young Thug posted on social media last year, where he urged Drake, Future, and Metro Boomin to squash their beef.

Drake acknowledges this in his verse but makes it clear that he is not interested in making amends:

“Broski just hit me, said, ‘Put all the beef on the side,’ I can’t / Mm-hmm, I’m heated now, yeah.”

He implies that he sees through fake attempts at reconciliation:

“N****s want meet up, talk about shit, I’m vegan now / Evil eyes were staring at me and I see it now.”

Despite Young Thug’s efforts to mend fences, it appears that Drake is not yet willing to let go of past conflicts.

A Surprising Label Partnership Amid Legal Battle

One of the most surprising aspects of $ome $exy $ongs 4 U is its label distribution. Despite Drake’s ongoing defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), the album was still released through UMG, along with OVO Sound, Republic, and Santa Anna.

This raises questions about Drake’s future with UMG and whether this is part of an ongoing contract fulfillment strategy.

Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR’s Long-Awaited Collaboration

$ome $exy $ongs 4 U marks Drake’s first full-length project since his highly publicized battle with Kendrick Lamar intensified last year. It also serves as the first full-length collaborative album between Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR, who have worked together on numerous hits in the past, including:

• “Recognize” (2014)

• “Over Here” (2013)

• “Come and See Me” (2016)

Given their history, fans were eager to see how PARTYNEXTDOOR’s signature R&B style would blend with Drake’s rap-heavy approach on a full-length project

Did Drake Take Another Loss in the Kendrick Lamar Battle?

While $ome $exy $ongs 4 U delivers a mix of smooth R&B and subtle diss tracks, many fans are questioning whether Drake’s shots at Kendrick Lamar are strong enough to shift public perception.

After last year’s beef, which saw Kendrick drop “Euphoria”, “6:16 in LA”, and a flurry of subliminal bars, many believe that Drake lost the battle.

However, Drake’s latest album suggests he is far from done taking shots at his competition. The question remains:

• Will Kendrick Lamar respond?

• Will this escalate into another lyrical war?

• Or is Drake strategically leaving the beef behind to focus on longevity?

Only time will tell how this saga unfolds, but one thing is certain: Drake’s ability to stay relevant and stir up controversy remains unmatched.

Final Thoughts: Will This Album Reignite Old Feuds?

$ome $exy $ongs 4 U is more than just a Valentine’s Day release—it’s a strategic move by Drake to remind the industry of his dominance. While he subtly addresses his critics and rivals, he also showcases his ability to create chart-topping music, solidifying his place in the game.

Will this album be enough to put Drake back on top? Or will Kendrick, Joe Budden, and others fire back with their own responses?